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Northwest Berry Foundation

Mock Orange 6/11/20 by Greta Dupuis

Week 24
June 17, 2020 Greta Dupuis
Northwest Berry Foundation
WHAT'S INSIDE
Regional Reports With lots of fruit ripening by the day, there always seems to be a shortage
of time. Happy harvest everyone!
Industry Resources
Greta
Industry News
Industry Calendar
Pest & Disease Alerts COVID-19
Pest Management
Coronavirus spreads among fruit & vegetable packers, worrying
US officials (6/11, Reuters)

Farming amid the coronavirus: Finding ways large & small to

farm safely during the pandemic (6/10, Good Fruit Grower)

COVID-19 Information for Farmers (6/14, Whatcom Ag Monthly)

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Last Call fruit coloring 6/11/20 by Greta Dupuis

Small Fruit Update is

produced once a week
during the growing
season and then
bimonthly outside the
growing season.
 R EG I O N A L F I E L D R E P O RTS 2

WESTERN OREGON, WILLAMETTE VALLEY

• Blueberries (6/16): Several growers will start picking Duke this Saturday 6/20. There is a wide
variation on fruit development across the valley. Some growers are still a good 10 days out.

• Blackberries (6/16): Obsidian & Metolius will begin machine harvest Monday night 6/22. Black
Diamond will start around the end of next week. The wet weather is perfect conditions for mold
in blacks. Growers should stay on top of their fungicides.

• Strawberries (6/16): Final cannery picks are finishing up as best they can from all this rain! Puget
Crimson and Marys Peak will have last picks finishing up next week. SWD larvae was just found
late last week in some later pick June bearers which falls into similar timing of when SWD larvae
was found last year. I think everyone is looking forward to the warm weather later this week.

NORTHWEST WASHINGTON (6/16)

• Strawberries: Tillamook starting this weekend. Labor hasn't been an issue at this point, but the
season is just starting. Dodging rain storms has been challenging to say the least.

NORTHERN WASHINGTON, WHATCOM & SKAGIT COUNTIES (6/16) From Tom Walters,
Walters Ag Research, Anacortes, WA:

• Fields are wet after all this rain, so it may be a day or two before sprayers can get into some
fields. The coming drier weather will bring out the root rot areas that haven’t showed up yet.

• Blueberries: There’s quite a bit of green berry Botrytis in the blueberry fields I’ve checked.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, FRASER VALLEY (6/14)

• Blueberries: Another past week of very wet weather is really testing the patience of everyone.
Some fruit rot showing up in the blues even with solid fungicide programs. There is a glimmer
of hope as the forecast shows a clearing and warming trend toward the coming mid-week. Fruit
is sizing but is behind last year developmentally. The crop also looks to be lighter (and likely
considerably in some cultivars) than last year. Some green fruit drop in Draper has been noticed
but at the moment it has been slight. I think everyone is ready for a change in the weather to
relieve a little of the building stress in this pre-harvest interval. Crop looks a little uncertain,
crop harvest challenges are uncertain, and the weather has been anything but certain. So warm
and sunny would be a big mental and physical benefit.

• Raspberries: Still holding on from a fruit rot standpoint for now. But root rot is really starting
to become more evident in many fields with the ongoing rainy days and mild temps. I'm also
seeing considerable poorly formed fruit in Meeker which will ultimately end up as crumbly
fruit. An indication of a synergy in weather, pollination, and RBDV impacting the crop.
Chemainus, Rudi and Squamish appear to be in better shape from a fruit quality standpoint.
We've been harvesting some fresh Squamish under tunnels for the last 7 or so days and fruit
quality has been very good.

BRITISH COLUMBIA, FRASER VALLEY (6/16)

• Blueberries: Weather has been a big issue. Hoping weather person is accurate in prediction of
drying trend over the next couple weeks. Poor pollination evident in many fields even where
strong hives in good numbers per acre. Lots of aborted fruit out there. Overall average crop at
best with many fields below average. Seems we are tracking a bit behind a normal start time.
Virus issues seemed to have really jumped this year. Concerns around labour continue both for
local labour supply as well as foreign workers.
 B LU E B E R RY B U D D E V E LO PM E N T 3

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Photos are from same fields on close to the same day from each year

PATRIOT BLUEJAY DUKE DRAPER TOP SHELF LIBERTY AURORA LAST CALL

Week 23: 6/12/20

Week 23: 6/7/19

Week 23: 6/6/18

Week 23: 6/9/17

PATRIOT BLUEJAY DUKE DRAPER TOP SHELF LIBERTY AURORA LAST CALL
 I N D U ST RY R E S O U RC E S 4

Introducing Michael Hardigan

Produced by USDA-ARS Horticultural Crops Research Unit

• Michael is a new post-doc for the berry breeding program!

• Read about Michael's background and research here

2020 Caneberry Pricing Survey

This is the final reminder to participate in the NARBA survey to learn more about
caneberry pricing and retail strategies for 2020, as well as the impacts of COVID-19.

Survey closes Monday, June 22

Click here to participate in survey

Raspberries
• Raspberry IPM Newsletter (6/12, BC Raspberry Council)

Blueberries
• Blueberry IPM Newsletter (6/12, BC Blueberry Council)

Looking for a new farm vehicle?

Location: Mount Vernon, WA View truck details here

• If you are interested please contact John Roozen at 360-424-5533

COVID-19 Resources
OSHA, CDC release pandemic guidelines for farmworkers (6/3, The Packer)

With accommodations, Oregon U-pick farms are opening for business (6/3, Fruit Growers News)

Guidance for U-Pick Farms during the COVID-19 Pandemic (May 2020, ODA)

Handling COVID-19 Guidance for U-Pick Farms (West. Reg. Center to Enhance Food Safety)

COVID-19 Updates: Its impact on Specialty Agriculture (Live Blog) (6/16, Growing Produce)
 I N D U ST RY N E WS 5

The Weather Cafe® Degree Day

Information
Click here for Rufus
La Lone's longrange Click here for
forecasts for the Dr. Len Coop's
PNW® Northwest Degree Day
Information

Highlights Retail
Overview of the global blueberry market (6/12, U.S.: Fresh produce retail demand “still well above
Fresh Plaza) 2019 levels” (6/11, Fresh Fruit Portal)

Average blueberry crops expected around the Berry growers urged to take pricing survey (6/9,
country (6/16, Fresh Plaza) Growing Produce)

Serbia: Hail and heavy rain destroyed 30% of Companies

raspberries (6/15, Fresh Plaza) Superfresh Growers to host daily instagram live
during United Fresh LIVE! (6/12, Fresh Plaza)
U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council launches Friday (6/19) features a tour of Norris Blueberry
podcast (6/10, The Packer) With crop updates! Farms in Southern Oregon.

Ten agribusiness and farming trends shaping our Technology

world (6/11, The Web Writer Spotlight)
Invasive species: Fourth Asian giant hornet found
in Whatcom County (6/12, Capital Press)
Judge Oks settlement in suit against Munger Bros.
and their blueberry farm in Sumas, WA. (6/9,
Capital Press)
New products
Naturipe showcases Bento Bliss snack at United
Fresh LIVE! (6/12, The Packer)
Fruit recovery/Food banks
Food Box programs gaining speed, looking for
improvements (6/12, The Packer)
Imports
U.S. fresh fruit imports down sharply in April
(6/11, The Packer) An exception was berries that
slightly increased.
Packaging
Antifog films improve the appearance and
hygiene of products (6/12, Fresh Plaza)
UK growers to trial new robot-based systems to
combat labour shortages (6/12, Fresh Plaza)
Pollinators
Plan Bee: How farmers are using native mason
bees to boost crop production (6/11, Capital Press)
Grower resources
Four irrigation system options for blueberry fields
(6/9, Fruit Grower News)
Europe
The plan for Europe to have its own blueberries
all year round (6/10, Blueberry Consulting)
Global blueberry industry
Leadership in the blueberry industry may vary in
the near future (6/9, Blueberry Consulting)
North America
Cold, rainy weather forces delays on Michigan’s
crops (6/16, The Packer)
John Galaida: 2020 New Jersey blueberry crop
‘going along nicely’ (6/11, The Produce News)

The strawberry punnet reinvented (6/9, Fresh
Plaza)
Genetics/variety development
Peru: Looking for varieties that leave Biloxi
behind and focus on characteristics that fit the
Chinese consumer (6/10, Blueberry Consulting)
Spring freezes are chilling some berry harvests
in Pennsylvania and New Jersey (6/16, The
Philadelphia Inquirer)
Labor
Why ag labor reform has never been more critical
(6/10, Growing Produce)
 I N D U ST RY C A L E N D A R 6

FALL MEETINGS GOING VIRTUAL

• U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council- Read preliminary detail here

• North American Blueberry Council- Read preliminary details here

OCT 17
Cranberry Junction. 10AM -2PM. Sutherlin Community Center, Sutherlin, OR. A family friendly
event to learn about everything cranberry. Further details and registration here.

DEC 7-9
Global Berry Congress. This event had been moved to December in response to COVID-19. The
leading annual event for the international soft fruit business. Rotterdam, Netherlands. View program
and registration details here.

To add your event to our calendar here and online, email info@nwberries.org

Beneficial Insects Hard at Work

All photos taken on 6/11/20 by Greta Dupuis

Team Work! Lady beetle larvae and Crab spider blending into Rose
flower fly larvae Meadowsweet

Lady beetle pupal stage can last for 3 to Adult lady beetle on the hunt for
12 days aphids
P E ST A N D D I S E A S E A L E RTS , W E E K 24
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Aphids

High counts of aphids continue to be reported from a number of fields over the past week.
Aphids have the potential to contaminate fruit by secreting honeydew, a sweet sticky liquid,
that covers fruit as well as leaves. As honeydew accumulates there can be a risk of sooty mold.
Aphids are also known to vector a number of viruses including blueberry scorch virus. There
are many biocontrol agents that attack aphids so be sure to consider predator numbers when
making management decisions.

Scorch Virus in Blueberries

Scorch virus is vectored by aphids. An effective aphid management plan
should be in place to control populations. Control measures are necessary
for reducing population size before reproduction and dispersal begins.
Given the high counts of aphids being reported be sure to monitor for this
virus closely.

Scorch 5/8/07
by Tom Peerbolt

Rose Stem Girdler in Caneberries

Late May/early June is when RSG adults start to emerge from canes and
emergence can continue for up to 3 weeks. During this time adults will
feed on leaves, giving them a tattered appearance. If fields are known
to have RSG pressure, monitor fields diligently in the upcoming weeks.
Management is targeted at the adult stage to prevent egg-laying. Read more
about RSG observations here and find management options here.

RSG exit hole 6/4/18

by Justin O'Dea

Silver Leaf in Blueberries

Silver leaf is a fungal disease that affects stone fruit as well as blueberries.
This disease was first confirmed in 2014 on 'Draper' and 'Liberty'
blueberries. Symptoms have been observed in other varieties as well.
Throughout the summer, infected plants will develop silvery leaves
resulting in reduced growth. For management options visit this link.

Silver leaf 6/15/18

by Jason Myer
Spotted Wing Drosophila

SWD trap counts have been low in the past weeks. The upcoming weather is
likely to be favorable egg lay conditions. This is the time when fruit become
vulnerable. SWD prefer ripe-to-overripe fruit to lay their eggs. Larvae will
then feed inside the fruit for 5 to 7 days. For fruit inspection methods visit
this link.
P E ST A N D D I S E A S E A L E RTS , W E E K 24
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Obliquebanded Leafroller (OBLR)

In the Willamette Valley, pheromone trap counts have

been decreasing over the past weeks. Low trap counts
are an indicator that mating and egg laying has started.
Eggs will begin to hatch after 10-12 days. In the upcoming
weeks, be sure to scout for larvae feeding on new leaf
growth. For information on monitoring and thresholds

OBLR larvae 5/17/13 by Jason

Myer

Green Berry Botrytis

Botrytis cinerea is a fungal disease that overwinters on

dead organic matter or on the soil surface. During wet
periods in the spring, spores will begin to multiple. Plants
are most susceptible during bloom and specific varieties
tend to be more susceptible than others (i.e. 'Duke').

The best "treatment" of this disease is warm, dry weather.

Green fruit rot will start as a brown discoloration and
eventually the entire berry will rot, shrivel and fall off
the berry cluster. Be sure to assess fields during extended
periods of moisture and monitor for any symptoms. Strawberry Botrytis 5/31/13 by
Jason Myer

Alternaria Fruit Rot

Alternaria can infect fruit beginning at the end of bloom

and throughout the fruit development stage, up until
harvest. Infections remain latent until the fruit ripens.
Infected fruits exhibit a shriveling or caving-in of the side
of the berry and become watery in storage.

Alternaria Fruit Rot by Caroline

Teasdale

Anthracnose Ripe Rot

Prevention of Anthracnose begins at petal fall. As infected

berries ripen, the flower end may soften and pucker.
Under warm and rainy conditions, salmon-colored spore
masses form on infected berries. After harvest, spore
masses form rapidly on infected fruit when in cellophane-
covered baskets or in plastic clamshell packs.

Anthracnose Ripe Rot by Caroline

Teasdale
 L AT E S P R I N G P EST M A N AG E M E N T 9

All Crops
• Vole management.
SWD Trap
• Scout for virus symptoms and send samples for deployed
testing as needed. by PCM

• Set out traps for SWD, leafrollers and crown moths.

Spotted Wing Drosophila

• Check traps regularly. Assessing population levels is
important for gauging if/when control methods are
necessary.

Strawberries Slug by Tom

• Slug management. Peerbolt

• Scout for root weevils. Adults of black vine, rough

strawberry, and strawberry root weevils are visible in
some fields.

• Scout for strawberry crown moth in southern

strawberries.

• Watch for weak growing areas and check rots for root Adult Rose
or weevil larvae. Stem Girdlers
6/1/18 by
Tom Peerbolt
Caneberries
• Scout for rose stem girdler (RSG). Late May/early
June is when adults start to emerge from canes.

Raspberries
• Scout for twospotted spider mites and yellow mites.

• Scout for clay colored weevils in northern areas.

• Scout for yellow rust and assess treatment options. Cane leaf
rust 4/5/03 by
Tom Peerbolt
Blackberries
• Scout for cane and leaf rust.

• Scout for blackberry rust (Evergreen).

• Scout for purple blotch.

Blueberries
• Monitor for bird activity. Starlings are the main
concern. Blueberry gall
midge 6/22/18
• Scout for blueberry gall midge. Tip damage from by Jason Myer
this midge is due to begin showing up in southern
blueberries.

• Scout for Azalea bark scale.

• Monitor and treat for mummyberry as needed.

• Scout for leafroller larvae feeding.

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About the
Small Fruit Upate
This is the sole industry publication
gathering grower and producer
news and weekly field reports to
unite, stabilize, and strengthen the
Northwest berry growing region
(Canada and US).
Production is independent of
government and commerical control
and made possible by the following
commission & councils.
Oregon Red Raspberry 9/3/2019 by Heather Fara Click group to learn more!

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